Venue of the Month-Green Russell

Jenn Cohen | August 1, 2012 | 0 Comments

by Ryan Edwards

Walking down the 16th Street Mall on a Monday night, I found myself trying to locate a bar that I have never been to, yet again. The Green Russell might be one of Denver’s most intimate and unique cocktail bars, which offers a 1940s theme, and in the process, gives locals and musicians a place to listen to Jazz and converse with friends. The Green Russell is not a bar that promotes itself as a music venue; however, from what I’ve heard, this bar offers a personable music experience that is very rare. “The crowd that comes to see music is varied. Some people are simply here for the cocktails and happened to come in on music nights. Others come dressed up and looking for jazz. Other local musicians have come to check things out, and many guests on Sunday/Monday night join us after dinner for a nightcap. Listening to live jazz while sipping a fabulous cocktail is a great way to end the evening,” said Megan, a manager of the Green Russell for the last year.

Located at 1422 Larimer, in the midst of other bars and restaurants, the venue is attached to Russell’s Smoke House. The stage is very intimate and, in a way, they really don’t have one; pushing chairs and tables to the side to make room. The staff is dressed to support the 40s jazz theme, and they give off a vibe that this is the place to be. Within the last year, they’ve brought in musicians who appreciate the atmosphere that comes with the territory. Mark Klagstad, a guitarist who has playing Jazz since the age of thirteen, and who is also in the group, the Scott Grove Trio says, “The Green Russell is a gem, and the atmosphere is great because it’s like a throw-back to the speak-easy days. There are no TVs or phones; the bartenders are dressed in period regalia, so it’s really conducive to inspiration. We love the ambience as well as the people there.” A rare gem for sure, and hopefully, more venues will follow, and provide this kind of ambiance for the Denver crowd.